Maison Matisse Lucente Vase
LUCENTE VASE
LUCENTE VASE
Designed by Alessandro Mendini
The Lucente vase is part of a series of 3 earthenware vases created to celebrate Henri Matisse's 150th birthday.
They are part of Maison Matisse's first limited edition collection entitled "1869". Limited series of 8 pieces + 4 artist's proofs
Each piece is signed and numbered by the designer and Maison Matisse.
DESIGNER
ALESSANDRO MENDINI
Alessandro Mendini was born in 1931 and quickly acquired a taste as bold as it was unique. After growing up among canvases by Morandi and Severini in a house designed by Piero Portaluppi, the Milanese designer initially ventured into architecture.
He supported eclectic thought, ran reviews such as Casabella or Domus, published countless books on the subject and conducted prestigious projects with his brother within Atelier Mendini. They include: The Tower of Paradise in Hiroshima, Japan, and the Groninger Museum in Holland. These are just a few examples of the work that earned him the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in France among other honorary awards.
He set a benchmark for post-modern design in the 70s and described his research as a kaleidoscope bringing a "state of constant motion" together with " shards, fragments of a visual system, fragments of contemporary imagination " He long championed the commonplace and kitsch to find a simpler alternative to the boredom and serious nature of over-functionalist architecture.
Alessandro Mendini was the founder of the radical Alchimia group and created a unique style blending the languages of history, art and industrial series. A world made of hybrid and fairytale objects and furniture - exhibited in countless museums worldwide - along with a quirky and bold approach that we can now see in the three vases that the maestro of color, applied to volume, designed for our limited edition collection 1869.
INFORMATION
MAINTENANCE ADVICE
We recommend cleaning this product with a soft, slightly damp cloth. The use of abrasive products is not recommended. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may alter the color of the pieces.
TECHNIQUES USED
- Casting
- Airbrushing
MANUFACTURE
Handcrafted by Alessio Sarri, in Italy
INSPIRATION
The result of Alessandro Mendini joining forces with Maison Matisse, the Lucente vase is a tribute by the Italian designer to Henri Matisse's work, and one of his last pieces. Like the "bright" and joyful colors in Henri Matisse's paintings, this vase sees Alessandro Mendini pay tribute to the colorful painter: "If I close my eyes and think of Henri Matisse, the first word that comes to mind is purity, and the second is light. Matisse is a complete, pure, sun-inspired painter and spirit.”

ARTS AND MATERIALS
QUALITY
The creation of the Lucente vase, as well as the Puro and Sinuoso vases, was entrusted to Alessio Sarri, a master craftsman based in Florence since the early 1970s. Known for being the creator of many handcrafted pieces with a strong and unique character, Sarri strives to give each piece its own unique feel.
Mixing a soft clay with a more porous clay, the earthenware used to create the Sinuoso vase is a light ceramic formed by casting.He is able to impart this character to a piece thanks to his unique know-how, which allows the artist's handiwork to shine through. he material selected was faience earthenware.
Once fired, it becomes a biscuit with a matte appearance. Firing at low temperature allows the material to be finally decorated with bright and colorful glazes.
First cast and demolded to give it its characteristic generous shape, the biscuit is then hand-finished by the craftsman.
The first three colors are then applied, and the vase is fired a first time. Three other colors are placed on the biscuit, and the process is repeated until a vase is obtained with unique shades that will stand the test of time.
The Italian designer developed a palette of eight colors (in addition to white and black) exclusively for Maison Matisse that is inspired by Henri Matisse’s own palette.
Each of the three vases he designed for this collection uses 6 of the 8 original colors. The final finish of this vase boasts bright hues showcased by matte black and white details.